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Maker: Christine from Chocolate and Steel
Inspiration

Maker: Christine from Chocolate and Steel

ByAngie Andre December 8, 2014

It’s full on Christmas mode around my home. There’s music playing, and candles in my fireplace, a tree decorated with every ornament that I’ve ever gotten in my entire life…including all the ones my kids have made. My home is…

Read More Maker: Christine from Chocolate and SteelContinue

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When I was in high school I worked at a vintage st When I was in high school I worked at a vintage store. It was my dream to work there. When some dreams come true, you see all the cracks in your fantasy but in this case it’s was pretty darn near perfect.

I dressed the mannequins (pretty sure that’s where my short stint as a Hollywood costumer 10 years later came from). I reorganized the store any way I wanted (finally a place for my OCD to shine). Window/store  displays were 100% mine (my childhood obsession with dioramas came in handy). I got a discount and first pick of everything that came in. 

My bosses were an “old” (to me at 16 year old although they were probably only in their 20s or 30s) couple of punk rockers with bleached hair and tattoos that looked like they were done with a blunt needle and ink from a ballpoint pen.

I was a Catholic school girl who wore plaid skirts and white button up shirts from 9-3 Monday-Friday but after school and on the weekend, I dressed like I’d just come out of a time machine from the 1950s and smoked cigarettes as I rung people up while Iggy Pop blared from the boombox on the shelf behind the counter.

It was a magical time when I look back with my rose-colored glasses. There were moments of magic but also feeling scared being in the store at night alone, wondering if my bosses thought I was doing a good job and spending hours cleaning (spraying Windex and rubbing spots with a paper towel) garbage bags full of clothes my bosses dropped off from their hauls at the by-the-pound wholesalers.
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Want a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring ori Want a FREE limited edition tote bag featuring original art by Nicole? You got it!

Thanks to our friends at @makerplacebymichaels by @michaelsstores the first 100 guests at our @thepatchworkshow in San Pedro at @craftedportla on 12/10 who stop by our info booth will get one of these awesome totes. #MakerPlacebyMichaels #AD 

🧵🎨What’s MakerPlace? 
If you’re a lover of creativity, it’s where you can discover artisan treasures, live online classes, and how-to’s all in one place. 

If you’re a creator, it’s where you can Sell your handmade items or seats to live online classes and share how-to’s with commission-earning supply lists. 

We’ll see you at Patchwork Show San Pedro where you can shop handmade and local goods from 100+ makers as well as get crafty with our free craft activities at CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles AKA the coolest permanent weekend market featuring the work of LA's best artisans and craftspeople. You can grab craft brews🍻 and food 🍔+ catch live music 🎶 next door at @brouwerijwest.

As always, Patchwork Show is FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩

#craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #crafter #crafters #maker #makers #craftshow #makersmarket
Sorry @target but forget the mall & big retailers Sorry @target but forget the mall & big retailers this weekend...

Instead join us in Redwood City to shop local from 50+ talented Bay Area makers in downtown @cityofredwoodcity! 🛍️ Great eats from local restaurants 🍔🍕🌮 and 🧵🎨 free craft activities.
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FREE to attend, family-friendly, and pet friendly! 🐕❤️🐩

Join us at our last @thepatchworkshow markets of this season in:
🌳 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.26
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10

P.S. Applications are closed BUT you can still apply for our waiting list. DM me waiting list and I’ll send you a link to the waiting list application. 

#craftshow #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #shopsmallbusinesses #localeconomy #makersmarket #holidaygiftideas #holidayshopping
WAIT!! 🛑 Are you sabotaging yourself by always WAIT!! 🛑 Are you sabotaging yourself by always trying to make “perfect” work? 😱

It’s common for us creatives to struggle with perfectionism. But trying to make only perfect art isn’t going to get you anywhere. 🚫

You have to make a lot of art to get good and here’s a newsflash, a lot of the art you make is going to be crappy. But, that’s OK! Bad art eventually leads to great art. 🌟

Your challenge today is to make something. Start it. Finish it. And don’t let yourself care how crappy it is. OK? Now, get to work. 💪

BTW: If you want to join a bunch of other creative weirdos and make art, try new techniques, no worry about how “bad” your art is, switch up your perspective, learn from the pros and more, join me at Craftcation! 🎨🌈

You’ll spend five days at the beach in California with me (and your future besties) and get to:
🌟👥 Feel welcome as your wonderful and weird self by hundreds of strangers.
🎨💖 Spend time with people who value art, authenticity and a growth mindset.
✂️🧵 Have your pick of over 200 craft & business workshops, wellness activities and social gatherings.

Discounted early bird registration is open now!
❓Have questions?
❓Wondering if Craftcation is right for you?
📣Send me a DM!

If you’re ready for a life-changing week with the most inclusive and welcoming community, JOIN US! 🌟

P.S. - For more on making crappy art —> Google Ira Glass art quote (it’s worth it!). 🎨🔍

#creativity #makearteveryday #artheals #crafttime #craftcation
🎨✨ Shop, & stroll through the creativity at @ 🎨✨ Shop, & stroll through the creativity at @ThePatchworkShow in the heart of Northern California wine country! 🍷 
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Join us near downtown Sebastopol on December 2 at the  Sebastopol Center for the Arts for a day of art, activities, food trucks, and good vibes! 🛍️🌈 
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Save the date for our last two shows of the season:
🎨 Sebastopol @sebastopolarts 12.2
🛳 San Pedro @craftedportla 12.10
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P.S. Applications are closed BUT you can still apply for our waiting list. DM me waiting list and I’ll send you a link to the waiting list application.

#communityovercompetition #winecountryweekend #shopsmall #shopsmallbusiness #makersofinstagram #craftshow 

@peacechainjoe 
@dorklandia 
@needle_and_sprout 
@tweeaccessories 
@vongeekery
But... it's not ALL about money! Here are two of m But... it's not ALL about money! Here are two of my fave non-$$$ craft fair ROI’s...👇

✨ Cultivating a Thriving Network: It's not just about transactions; it's about connections. Gathering those email addresses is like planting seeds for a vibrant network to flourish.

🧵 Crafting Trust Through Face-to-Face Interactions: Beyond the exchange of goods, we're weaving a web of trust with each genuine interaction. It's the personal touch that turns customers into loyal patrons.

Vending at a craft show transforms into more than a marketplace venture; it becomes a journey into community building and forging magical connections that endure.

And in case you're gearing up for your own craft fair adventure, don't forget to snag my FREE craft fair packing list – link in bio! 🎒✨

P.S. While the applications for @thepatchworkshow are closed, you can still join our waiting list. 

#crafting #communityovercompetition #craftshow #makersmarket #craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #smallbiztips #smallbusinesssupport #smallbusinesstips

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